The EGC is always held in two weeks that contain July 31 and August 1.

I don't think the date will have any major impact on Korean attendance...

I've always though that it would be best if the EGF and the AGA cooperated to make a 'circuit' for Asian pros. We could have the congresses separated by about a week, which would give the pros time to do a little sightseeing, relax, fly to the other continent, and be ready to play in the next congress.

There is an additional travel benefit for the pros. Western Europe and Korea look like they are in almost opposite sides of the western hemisphere. If a Korean could stop in the US on his way there or on his way back, it would cost him almost nothing to do so. For some pros in eastern China, visiting the US is simlilarly on the oposite side of the globe, and stopping in Europe costs almost nothing.

I would expect that competing against the US Go Congress would split the Korean pros. I'm not sure who loses more, whether the US loses more Asian pros to Europe or vice versa, but we both lose. And the Asian pros miss out on an opportunity to play.

The only pros who play in the US Open are those who live in North America. Visiting pros don't play. They're welcome to, of course, but they don't. Coordinating dates isn't going to help much either; the AGA has reduced the number of invitations to foreign pros.

In this instance, an 'invitation' includes some type of perks, right?

My understanding is invited pros have airfare, accommodations and meals paid for, plus a cash payment. The amount of cash may depend on whether the pros is North American/visiting, and the airfare of foreign pros may be picked up by their domestic organization (e.g., the Nihon Kiin). I've never been involved in the details, though, so don't take it as gospel.

I should go back and say that there are good reasons to coordinate between America and Europe. If nothing else, it would make it more reasonable for Westerners to attend both events.

The only pros who play in the US Open are those who live in North America. Visiting pros don't play. They're welcome to, of course, but they don't.

There is an additional travel benefit for the pros. Western Europe and Korea look like they are in almost opposite sides of the western hemisphere. If a Korean could stop in the US on his way there or on his way back, it would cost him almost nothing to do so. For some pros in eastern China, visiting the US is simlilarly on the oposite side of the globe, and stopping in Europe costs almost nothing.

As you can see, I split this thread off from the 'who qualifies as European' thread. If anyone objects, please PM me.

Guess we can reply now?

So funny Europeans keep on fighting on 'who qualifies as European'. Does Americans have the same problem? 'who qualifies as American'?

...

In terms of attracting Asian players...It's also funny that they are just fighting within themselves blindly without knowing what actually happens in Asia. Do they ever do any advertisement on any CJK domestic Go press/magazines/online servers? I guess not...

What is the best stagering?

if i interprete http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jetlag correctly

then East Asia - Europe - USA - East Asia is for most people better than

East Asia - USA - Europe - East Asia.

But also there should be 2 weeks between the two USA congresses (to overcome jetlag)

That sounds like the European Congress ought to happen before the US Congress. Which puts the US Congress in August -- potential conflict with students returning to school (and their families). Most schools here start up again in early September, but it seems to me like an increasing number of them are starting up as early as the middle of August.

I don't think this necessarily rules out having the US Congress in August. I would like to see them staggered, though perhaps with only a week between the events.